Loop Quantum Gravity, S1E1: Prereq Refresher

Hey everyone!

We're starting: a Loop Quantum Gravity (LQG) study group to work through the mathematics behind LQG using these two textbooks:

• Rovelli, C., & Vidotto, F. (2015). Covariant loop quantum gravity: An elementary introduction to quantum gravity and spinfoam theory. Cambridge University Press.
• Gambini, R., & Pullin, J. (2011). A first course in loop quantum gravity. Oxford University Press.

Ground-level material: The opening chapters assume some prior mathematical knowledge. To make sure we're all on the same page, I'd like to start by reviewing:

• high-school algebra
• trigonometry
• derivatives
• path integrals
• vector spaces
• change-of-basis transforms

I'm comfortable with these topics, so if you don't remember them or never learned some of them, we should be able to get you up to speed. I don't expect us to get through all of that in one night.

Once we have a solid foundation with the topics listed above, I think we should tackle any further prerequisites as side quests when we encounter them. The books will guide us toward the mathematical tools we actually need.

Come prepared to: ask questions, share insights, and work through some mathematical challenges together. Looking forward to seeing everyone there.